AN ASPIRING young photographer who found himself sleeping in a Wrexham forest says a Supported Living Scheme helped turn his life around.

Jamie Clixby, who ended up sleeping on the ground, starving for days and drinking from the taps of public toilets, is now at university.

Carrying all his belongings on his back, Jamie, now 22, slept in the woods for a week after losing his home and consequently his job as a shop assistant. A friend later took him in before he was referred to Hurst Newton Supported Living Scheme.

Jamie was homeless for one month, but he recalled the week when he found himself sleeping rough in April 2018.

“It was bad,” he said.

“I had some trouble at home, and I found myself homeless. I had all my stuff with me. I had to lug it around everywhere and try to sort out food. It was pretty frightening. When I was thirsty, I would look for a toilet with a tap to drink from, and I went without food for three or four days, and if you’re hungry, you don’t have any energy. It was April, but it was chilly at night, and I had to put on all my clothes to try and stay warm.”

The Leader:

Jamie Clixby with his camera

He added: “I slept in Erddig Forest. I felt safe there because that’s where I played as a child. If I slept in the town centre, you had people who might have had something to drink and who were aggressive.”

After a week sleeping rough, the former Rhosensni High School pupil bumped into a friend who put him up for three weeks. Jamie then managed to get accommodation in a Supported Living Scheme with ClwydAlyn Housing, who gave him the support he needed to rebuild his life and gain independent living skills.

After a year and a half at the accommodation, Jamie moved into halls at Wrexham Glyndwr University in September where he began his degree in photography.

“When I moved into Hurst Newton from the street, the first few days were a bit uncomfortable. But after that it was easy to settle in pretty quick, and I made a lot of new friends,” he said.

“The staff helped me with my mental health. I’d be down, and I’d go to them, and they’d help pick me back up. It gave me the boost and motivation to get better and to do what I needed to get done in my life. When I was in Hurst Newton, I was still doing voluntary work.

"I didn’t want to be just sitting doing nothing. I wanted to be up and going and still be motivated to do things. I had the idea of going to university.

"The staff helped me apply. I got in, and I’m currently doing photography and film at Wrexham Glyndwr. It’s my dream because there’s nothing I like doing better.”

He added: “I’m loving my photography course. I have made lots of friends. I enjoy taking nature photos and photographing dogs. I feel a lot happier in myself. If you feel you’re at rock bottom, if you can’t go any further down, the only way is up.”

Ade Harvey is the senior project officer at Hurst Newton, which is run by ClwydAlyn, and said: “It is a real pleasure to see Jamie doing so well and progressing with his university course. He is an inspiration to others who might find themselves in similar situations to the one he found himself in, and he should be proud of what he has achieved. I am very happy that my staff and I were able to support Jamie through a difficult time and wish him every success in the future.”